This question may seem uninteresting, but I went to Tamarkin's web site and saw M6 black Paint(LHSA), which made me wondering how many of you actually use the black paint M6 for daily shooting? Or you just store it and hope it increases value in the future?

-- Edward Yu (fallot@ms2.hinet.net), December 19, 2001

Answers

If I owned one I would use it!

;-) Cheers,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), December 19, 2001.

Oh yea! I would be anxious to see the patina of brass show through. And the lens too.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), December 19, 2001.

i'd definitly use it too!

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.

The LHSA Special Edition and black paint lenses (35 /2 Summicron-M Asph & 50/1.4 Summilux-M Asph) are the only pieces of Leica equipment that I own, with the exception of an older 90/2 Summicron. I bought the black paint items as a kit. They were significantly higher in cost; they do not yield better results than non-black paint versions; and I plan to use them even beyond the wearing away of the paint. Why did I choose them? I like the appearance; the brass; the feel; and whatever emotional satisfaction I derive from owning them. I have never second-guessed my decision. Although I take extra time to care for the finish, I do not let the appearance get in the way of their utilitarian purpose. I do not purport to be much of a photographer, so I probably compensate by owning such equipment. I am at the stage in my life where I do not attempt to justify to others my decisions. Life is too short to always question everything one does, impractical though they may be. . . especially non-essential matters and things.

-- Max Wall (mtwall@earthlink.net), December 19, 2001.

Edward,

I have a LHSA Black Paint M6. It was a gift from an oh so generous friend. (Thanks, Karla!)

I use it all the time. Something about the shiny black paint says: "Shoot!" So, I do. Might be a silly reason to expose more film, but whatever inspiration one gets is valid, no matter how silly it seems to others.

As for storing the camera on the shelf, instead of using it? Well, if 800 people who have the LHSA M6 buy it and never use it, that means in 20 years, there will be a flood of them on the market, bringing the price down anyway.

So, take it out of the box, put some film in it (and a never ready case if it makes you feel better), and go shoot some B&W Agfa Scala.

Life is way too short not to!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.con), December 19, 2001.

I have one. I use it. I did not buy it for collector appreciation. I bought it because I like the appearance and finish, now and future as it brasses. I do not use painted lenses however - they just don't grab me.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), December 19, 2001.

Tom Abrahammsson uses a black painted "Millenium" series regularly joining Ken and Steve.

-- George L. Doolittle (geodoolitt@aol.com), December 19, 2001.

I recently bought a M6TTL LHSA myself. It has been languishing in a cabinet waiting for me to get the courage to risk having the beautiful black paint finish have its first blemish. I would not keep it in mint condition to maximize its resale value simply because I love it so much I would never sell it anyway. Many on this web site state regretting selling certain beloved Leicas. Somebody please say the right words to get me to take that first step and start shooting with my LHSA everyday!

-- Raymond Quan (Dawglab@aol.com), December 20, 2001.

Raymond,

There is an old saying which may provide the right words:

"A ship is safe in the harbour, but that is not what ships are for"

Cheers,

-- Tim Gee (twg@optushome.com.au), December 20, 2001.

I sold my regular M6 bodies to get the LHSA black paint and I use it regularly. Use it or not it is up to you. I am just glad people are buying these things and keeping Leica Camera AG in the black. Leica is making way too many limited editions for any of them to be of investment value. Go to www.cameraquest.com to see other black paint M6 TTL's available.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), December 20, 2001.

Someday, when I become a shamelessly materialistic multigizzilionaire, I shall buy one of every Leica model to hoard, and one to use. If even then I could have only two, the LHSAs would be at the top of the list-unlike all the other commemorative junk, they really are very nice looking, I must confess.

But only one? It would be a shame to scratch that fine paint finish... Too bad paint with white logos is not the standard black model.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), December 20, 2001.

Just another data point:

I have a LHSA black paint M6 and use it regularly, and it has in fact accumulated some blemishes. I love everything about it except for the fact that the shutter speed dial turns backwards :-).

-- Rolfe Tessem (rolfe@ldp.com), December 21, 2001.

I've had this camera on assignments in Africa twice this year, and lots of other places, dragging it through the dust, heat, cold, etc. I put it in the freezer for an hour before taking it out into snowstorms in Vermont. (to keep the falling snow from melting on it). I fell on it while skiing, and when I got up, it was basically a snowball on a strap, which I shook off, and resumed clicking. My black-paint M-6 and I will grow old together, with scars and blemishes to commemorate the highlights of our adventures. Keeping it in a box would be like locking up my best friend and throwing away the key.

-- John Layton (john.layton@valley.net), December 22, 2001.

I know that LHSA is the hot set up but what about the black chrome? I've read somewhere that the black chrome after time just fades and looks flat and dead. Any thoughts or experience on this issue? Thanks.

-- Greg Jesson (greg-jesson@uiowa.edu), December 23, 2001.

Greg: Both my bodies are c. 1980 black chrome. I like the way they've aged - personally. They have a utilitarian industrial quality appropriate to the role of the M4-2 and M4-P in saving Leica's bacon back then - a subdued dusting of silver at the edges - like a well- handled Luger or the matte ebony of a master's favorite clarinet.

As one Leica-using jazz photographer is supposed to have said - "It's my AXE, MAN!"

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 24, 2001.